✦ Kamasutra – Album TC : Feb. 1997

✦ The NPG Orchestra’s Erotic Ballet Suite

Prince’s first and only orchestral album — a sensual, fully instrumental suite released exclusively through 1‑800‑New‑Funk

✦ Summary

Released on February 14, 1997, Kamasutra is the first and only studio album by The NPG Orchestra, issued exclusively on cassette through 1‑800‑New‑Funk as a direct‑order release. The cassette featured the full album repeated on both sides, emphasizing its boutique.

Limited‑edition nature. A CD edition followed a year later as part of the direct‑order version of Crystal Ball, making Kamasutra one of the most elusive and unusual entries in Prince’s catalogue.

Recorded between Spring 1994 and mid‑to‑late 1995, the album is entirely instrumental, weaving together orchestral textures, jazz‑fusion elements, and recurring thematic motifs. Prince (as 0(+>) composed all eleven tracks and performed most non‑orchestral instruments, with contributions from Eric Leeds, the NPG Hornz, and full orchestral arrangements by Clare Fischer.

Originally conceived as a standalone Prince release — complete with early artwork by Chad Attie — the project was later folded into the Crystal Ball set. Its title references the ancient Indian text Kama Sutra, previously name‑checked in Prince’s unreleased We Can Fuck.

A ballet adaptation was planned for 1995–96 but ultimately cancelled, though the NPG Dance Company performed the entire album live in late 1997.

A rare, intimate, and experimental work — and one of the deepest cuts in the Prince universe.

✦ Highlights

• Released 17 February 1997 (cassette only)

• First and only album by The NPG Orchestra

• Entirely instrumental

• Written and performed primarily by Prince (as 0(+>)

• Orchestral arrangements by Clare Fischer

• Cassette repeated the full album on both sides

• CD edition included only with Crystal Ball direct‑order set

• Ballet adaptation conceived but cancelled

• Performed live by the NPG Dance Company in 1997

• No singles released

✦ Track Details

CD – 1997 (Direct‑Order Edition)

The Plan — 2:03

Kamasutra — 11:49

At Last… “The Lost Is Found” — 3:37

The Ever Changing Light — 2:59

Cutz — 3:03

Serotonin — 0:47

Promise/Broken — 3:46

Barcelona — 2:16

Kamasutra/Overture #8 — 3:11

Coincidence Or Fate? — 3:24

Kamasutra/Eternal Embrace — 4:02

MC – 1997 (1‑800‑New‑Funk Cassette)

Side 1: Full album

Side 2: Full album repeated

✦ Reissues & Global Variants

• Cassette – 1‑800‑New‑Funk (1997)

• CD – Included with Crystal Ball direct‑order edition (1998)

• No standalone CD or vinyl release

✦ Production and Context

• Recorded Spring 1994 – mid/late 1995

• Studios: Paisley Park (Prince), Ocean Way Recording (Clare Fischer’s orchestra)

• Entirely instrumental suite with recurring motifs

• Prince performs most instruments

• Eric Leeds contributes saxophone and flute

• NPG Hornz appear on key tracks

• Clare Fischer provides full orchestral arrangements

• Early artwork by Chad Attie was abandoned when folded into Crystal Ball

• Title references the ancient Indian erotic text Kama Sutra

✦ Singles Released

No singles issued.

The Plan appeared in edited form on Emancipation with a note teasing the forthcoming album.

✦ Chart Performance

• Not eligible for charts due to direct‑order release

✦ ALT TEXT (SEO)

✦ Discography Sidebar

Kamasutra Era Releases:

Kamasutra (Cassette) — 1997

Crystal Ball (Direct‑Order Set) — 1998

The Truth (Direct‑Order Bonus) — 1998

✦ Prince Era Mini‑Timeline

Spring 1994–1995 — Kamasutra recording sessions

17 Feb 1997 — Cassette released via 1‑800‑New‑Funk

1997 — NPG Dance Company performs full album live

1998 — CD edition included with Crystal Ball

✦ Glam Flashback

Kamasutra is one of Prince’s most intimate and unconventional creations — a lush, orchestral meditation that reveals his fascination with ballet, romance, and cinematic composition. Conceived during a period of artistic reinvention, the album stands apart from his mainstream work, offering a rare glimpse into his instrumental imagination. Its scarcity only deepens its mystique.

A hidden jewel — sensual, atmospheric, and unlike anything else in the Prince canon.

✦ Image & Artwork Copyright Notice

All images, photographs, and artwork referenced or displayed in this post remain the property of their respective copyright holders. They are included strictly for historical, educational, and archival purposes under fair‑use principles. No ownership is claimed, and all rights belong to the original creators, photographers, designers, and publishers.

✦ Sources

Wikipedia, Prince Vault

✦ Excerpt

A rare, fully instrumental orchestral suite released only through 1‑800‑New‑Funk — Kamasutra remains one of Prince’s most elusive and intimate creations.

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